Monday, Jul. 06, 2009

Recruiting: DB Peters close to picking Tigers

A VISIT TO CLEMSON LAST week had defensive back Garry Peters (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) of Conyers, Ga., humming “Tiger Rag.”

“It’s my favorite school right now,” Peters said. “I liked the facilities, the coaches and the players. Coach (Dabo) Swinney wasn’t there but I hung out with coach Rumph and he showed me around. He said they are losing a lot of people and there’s a good possibility to come in next year and play within the next two years.”

Peters said the Tigers lead Alabama. “I’m thinking about a commitment (to Clemson) but I have to talk to my family,” he said.

Clemson also has moved to the front with linebacker Justin Parker (6-2, 225) of Beaufort, who has see-sawed between the Tigers and USC.

“Clemson is leading right now,” said Parker’s older brother Jeff, who is advising him during the recruiting process. “He has spoken with Clemson more.”

Parker is planning to visit Virginia Tech this Saturday and USC on Sunday. Parker also plans to visit Clemson later this summer. He also likes Tennessee, Wake Forest, Maryland and N.C. State.

Clemson is looking for a commitment from offensive lineman Kalon Davis (6-5, 335) of Chester. The Tigers have been out front for him for sometime and he says he will take another unofficial visit there the middle of the month. Davis camped at Alabama and expects to hear about an offer from the Crimson Tide soon. He also has offers from Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Mississippi State, South Florida, Wisconsin, Penn State, Kentucky and East Carolina.

The Gamecocks would like to reel in another Tar Heel state native this Saturday for commitment thirteen.

Linebacker Kendall Moore (6-3, 230) of Raleigh plans to announce a commitment Saturday and is down to USC, N.C. State and Notre Dame.

“Everybody is at a level playing field right now,” Moore said. “I’m looking for just a good fit for me overall.”

Strom Thurmond graduate defensive back Jakar Hamilton (6-2, 190) of Georgia Military will announce a decision Saturday. He is down to Georgia and Alabama.

Sumter offensive lineman Marques Pair (6-6, 260) committed to Tennessee. Pair had drawn looks from Clemson and USC but no offers. Duke, Auburn, N.C. State and North Carolina showed interest.

Allendale-Fairfax athlete Jerrell Priester (5-8, 180) nearly committed last week to Vanderbilt as a cornerback but held off at the urging of his mother and coach. He has offers from Notre Dame, East Carolina, Kentucky, Duke and S.C. State, and he says Virginia Tech and Georgia are close to offering. He will visit Georgia on July 18. He camped at USC, Clemson, Georgia and Duke and he plans to take unofficial visits to Notre Dame and Vandy later this month.

Clemson is in the final six with offensive lineman Daniel Koenig (6-6, 255) of Cape Coral, Fla., along with Oklahoma State, Auburn, Nebraska, Missouri and Ole Miss. He plans to visit all his favorites this month. Koenig is taking a hard look at Clemson.

“They really want me,” he said. “They feel like I can make a big improvement there. I like their facilities and my position coach seems real nice.”

Tight end Neil Basford (6-5, 235) of Jacksonville, Fla., will visit Wake Forest, USC and Virginia Tech from Friday through Sunday. Those three have offered along with Florida State, Arkansas, Indiana, East Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, Illinois and Arkansas State.

Running back Mack Brown (5-11, 192) of Atlanta plans to visit Clemson this week. The Tigers and USC are among his 45 offers. Florida, Georgia and Alabama are making the strongest pushes, according to Brown, who does not claim a favorite.

USC and Clemson will be visited this month by offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson (6-8, 325) of St. Paul, Minn., who is rated by at least one service as the No. 1 prospect in the country. Henderson plans to make all his trips this month and August. He says some offers that stand out are Ohio State, Southern Cal, Florida, LSU and Oklahoma. He does not have a favorite.

Tight end Trey Millard (6-3, 250) of Columbia, Mo., will visit USC, Vanderbilt and Tennessee this summer. He has been to Syracuse, Stanford, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas for visits and camps. He does not have a favorite.

USC remains involved with wide receiver Dyjuan Lewis (6-3, 188) of Indianapolis. He has offers from the Gamecocks, Missouri, Michigan State, Kentucky, Iowa, Purdue, Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota, Louisville and Cincinnati. He plans to visit Missouri and Michigan State soon.

Athlete Todd Neal (6-2, 195) of Mobile, Ala., holds offers from USC, Florida State and Southern Miss. He has been hearing from Clemson, Ole Miss, Louisville and Arkansas. He plays running back, receiver, fullback, cornerback and safety.

USC is among the 20 offers for offensive lineman Skyler Schofner (6-7, 300) of Sunberry, Ohio. Most of the Big 10 schools also have offered, along with North Carolina, Cincinnati and South Florida. Michigan State seems to be strong with him, though Schofner did not identify a favorite.

Athlete Jeremy Deering (6-2, 208) of Tampa has a verbal offer from USC and would be more interested if he got one in writing. He claims offers from North Carolina, South Florida, West Virginia, Iowa, Ole Miss, Purdue, Kentucky, Kansas, Marshall, Rutgers, Auburn and Iowa State. He has being recruited for receiver and defensive back.

Defensive back Courtney Farquharson (6-2, 205) of Florida City, Fla., has offers from Auburn and Troy and is hearing from Virginia Tech and Oregon. He is also interested in Clemson, USC and S.C. State and hopes to visit them.

Defensive back Xavier McFadden (5-11, 170) of Rock Hill was offered by Kentucky after visiting there last month. He has been to USC for a camp, and the Gamecocks are keeping him under consideration. This week McFadden will visit Georgia Tech. He has also been to Clemson.

Dreher defensive end Farrington Huguenin (6-4, 230) likes USC and Tennessee the most and has visited both this summer, but those two have not offered yet. He has offers from S.C. State and North Carolina Central. He is hearing from Clemson, Georgia and Michigan State.

Summerville offensive lineman Devin Taylor (6-3, 280) is being noticed for his deep snapping skills, and Clemson is among the interested. He camped there along with USC, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Wofford. Kentucky and Wofford are also showing interest.

Chester offensive lineman R.J. Canty (6-2, 265) feels Clemson is close to making him an offer. He has camped there and at Wake Forest. He has offers from East Carolina, Elon, S.C. State and Western Carolina. He is hearing from Georgia Tech, Maryland, Duke and Appalachian State. His favorites, in order, are East Carolina, Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Spartanburg linebacker Andre Whitmire (6-2, 220) has been invited to USC to workout in front of the coaches this month. He has been to Duke and N.C. State. Whitmire has offers from Wake Forest, Duke, Stanford, Air Force, Western Carolina and Marshall. He plans to visit Wake Forest and possibly Vanderbilt.

Byrnes quarterback Chas Dodd (6-0, 191) was offered by Rutgers last week after impressive work at their camp.

Allendale-Fairfax defensive back and Clemson commitment Bashaud Breeland (6-2, 200) had an MRI on his injured left knee last week and, according to his coach, has a sprained ligament. Coach Wayne Farmer said Breeland hopes to be back at full speed by August, but if the knee is not fully healed in a couple of weeks he will have arthroscopic surgery. Breeland was injured during a seven-on-seven game last month.

USC target linebacker Kevin Nelson (6-1 220) of Gainesville, Fla., committed to Miami.

Defensive end Jibreel Black (6-2, 250) of Cincinnati, who held a USC offer, committed to Indiana.

Defensive back Alex Ogletree (6-3, 210) of Newnan, Ga., who was offered by USC and Clemson, committed to Georgia, as did running back Ken Malcome (5-11, 212) of Decatur, Ga., who was also offered by Clemson.

Defensive end Justin Taylor (6-4, 225) of Norwood, N.C., committed to Virginia Tech over USC and others.

Basketball. Brandon Mobley (6-9) of Savannah favors Cincinnati over USC. The rest of his top five is Tennessee, Indiana and Missouri. Mobley will be playing in tournaments around the country this month.

R.J. Slawson (6-8) of Fort Dorchester remains a lean to USC over offers from Clemson, Auburn, VCU, Temple, Cincinnati, St. Joseph’s, S.C. State and The College of Charleston. He also likes Alabama and Oklahoma. Slawson has been to team camp at USC and has visited Clemson. He will be back at USC for an individual camp this month.

Sophomore Shaq Rowland (6-4) of Lexington, a standout in football and basketball, was offered by Presbyterian College while at a camp there. Rowland also has a verbal football offer from USC.

Baseball. USC picked up two more commitments for the 2010 class. Middle INF Jake Watson (5-10 165) of Charlotte picked the Gamecocks over North Carolina and N.C. State. C/OF Patrick Harrington (5-10 185) is rated among the top 150 prospects in the country and competed in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars presented by Major League Baseball, a tournament that features the top 144 prospects in the country 18 and under.

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